Apr. 26, 2017
HARRISBURG – Working to ensure the gun rights of law-abiding citizens are protected, the state House today approved legislation to combat illegal efforts by local governments to enact their own gun regulations, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
“Our nation’s Constitution guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and the state Constitution does so as well,” Causer said. “When local governments try to pass their own gun regulations contrary to the laws of the Commonwealth, they are infringing on those rights.
“Having different rules in different communities also puts law abiding citizens at risk of unknowingly breaking a locally established law as they travel throughout the state. Uniform laws are a must,” he added.
While Pennsylvania law already prohibits the passage of gun or ammunition regulations by local governments, an increasing number of communities have done so anyway. To address this,
House Bill 671 aims to deter these illegal ordinances by requiring local governments that enact them to reimburse reasonable attorneys fees and costs related to any successful lawsuit challenging the illegal ordinance. The bill requires fair notice to the local jurisdiction, requiring 60 days written notice so it has time to voluntarily repeal its offending ordinance.
The measure, which was originally enacted in 2014, directly responds to a state court decision which ruled the law unconstitutional. That ruling was based on technical grounds, and the substance of the legislation was never called into question.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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